The Tale Continues

Surgery was set for 9:50 AM. We were here by 8:00 AM. He was taken to surgery at 11:00 AM. It was to be an hour surgery. At 1:00 PM I was called to consult with the Dr.

He thinks he got it all out of the right kidney, but there seems to be a blockage and he is calling in Dr Brown to fix it. (Oh and there might be fragments left in the left kidney.)

At 1:10 PM I signed papers and was told it would take 15 - 30 minutes to fix it. Two hours later I am having a very hard time not being anxious. (Philippians 4:6) and let God be God (Philippians 4:13). Was sitting with a sister in the Lord who told me to claim James 5:13-16.

It seems that where the stones were sitting a the base of the kidney, for some reason, it grew scar tissue. Dr Brown (and someone whose name I did not catch) tired to break through, but were unable--as is the norm with my husband, it was too tough. It will need to be removed by laser. The laser needs requested from off campus and the correct operating room reserved. He wants to do this Friday, but doesn't know if everything will work out.

I must say, Dr Brown is great.

Hope also to see his wound care Dr while he is here at Grant Hospital.

It continues

Several calls to me about Dwight's procedure, even tho I have given them both his cell and room phone numbers.

I have asked, repeatedly, when they took a CAT scan or ultrasound that tells them there are 'fragments' or 'another stone' in the kidney. The answer is that two Dr's have conferred and 'think' there might be more. Also told again I should speak with the unavailable Dr.

AND, I am told, he is going back to Grant, not Riverside. And that they probably will be keeping him overnight. But they can't answer if they are taking the tube out yet.

But, yesterday, they put Dwight in his wheelchair and took him to the therapy room. He was quite happy about that. And quite shocked when he looked in the full length mirror and saw how much weight he has lost.

Then, I took his guitar, (in it's new case from Sam), in for him to see and he played for awhile. Really enjoyed that. Took a picture on my cellphone, but I don't have a patch cord for it so I can't share it with you, sorry.

If you would like to send him a card, his address is:
Room 112B
Mill Run Garden and Care Center
3399 Mill Run Hillard, OH 43026

Unbelieveable

Is this a bad dream that I will wake from soon? Is there no end to all this?

Dwight has called his Urologist for four days in a row, some days twice a day, trying to get an answer as to when they are taking the tube out of the kidney. He really wants more therapy than exercise bands and sitting on the edge of the bed.

Yesterday someone from the office actually answered the phone. After some attempts to get Dwight to call back when the surgeon was in (he is booked solid with surgeries, not even near the office.) the voice on the phone informed Dwight that he was scheduled for another surgery on the 30th.

Why?

He was told there are fragments still in there. I called this morning, and after being on hold for a long time, I was told there is still a stone in there. Which is it, or both, or..I reminded them I was told they were all out, AND when did they do a CAT scan or ultrasound--he has not left the nursing home, and they don't do them there. No answer........just that the surgeon will call one of us back. But he is busy all day.

I am afraid I just don't understand what is going on. He started with this infection in January, is now the end of June!!!! Not sure which emotion is the strongest right now, I am not even going to list all I am feeling. Just want to get this done.

A Hard Father's Day

Visited my husband last night after work, he held hard onto my arm, with near tears in his eyes. How he hates for me to leave. We are married, we shouldn't be apart night after night. He feels it so much harder. How many different hospitals and now a nursing home has he been in? How many different beds trying to find one that he is comfortable in? And how many different room mates, as they all left before him?

And now it is Father's Day. No dinner of his favorite foods spread across our table with grandkids laughing all around. No silly gifts and sentimental cards. Just another day waking up alone in a room away from home. Away from his wife, the love of his life. Away from his dog and cat. Away from his TV and his remote. Away from the Church Services he watches on the web and TV. Away...

No wonder he tears up and clings to my arm. How it hurts us both.

But the infection didn't win and soon he can start therapy. Soon he can begin to rebuilt the muscle strength he has lost and hopefully overcome other new challenges that have become part of his daily life. And maybe come home before summer is over.

Thank you to you who continue to pray and care.

New Grass

The heat and humidity have worked their magic. The grass is growing splendidly, where it was planted. Since I let each of the grandchildren help broadcast the seed we have various thickness of new lawn growing. Bare to quite thick. But beautiful green. Need a couple days of dry to reapply, not sure when that opportunity will present itself.

We have a few corn plant up, but only a couple sunflowers. Don't know if the birds helped themselves or if the grandchildren didn't plant enough. It will be interesting to see what we get.

Growing and learning--grandkids are fun.

New Grass

It has been almost two years since our pine tree uprooted in the front of the house. Last spring I purchased and Tim and Isaiah planted two maples to replace it. They have done quite well, producing wonderful color in the fall. They are still very thirsty, demanding lots of water.

But the large spot that was directly under the pine was never taken care of it. It was full of pine needles. Last year it produced a large crop of morning glories and weeds. This year we had the beginnings of a great crop of thistles from the bird seed. Definitely didn't look attractive, living in town, where everyone is fussy about their lawns.

Until Isaiah attacked it Monday. He was making progress--lots of weeds and lots of roots to break up. Then his cousins completed their chores and decided to help him instead of playing. Wow--with three boys working hard (and around a four year old girl!) they really made progress. By the time the boys needed to leave it was clear and ready for extra soil to fill in the low spots.

Tuesday Isaiah and Isaac showed up with soil, garden rake, gloves and determination. By lunch time the spot was filled, racked level and seeded with donated grass seed. Last night and this morning God provided a super soaking rain. One of the boys was sure they saw grass growing today!! We will be watching that spot with great anticipation.

Also Isaac and Aurora planted sunflowers from Uncle Sam along the fence (with a few corn seeds thrown in). And Jackson planted some ??? in the veggie raised garden. It promises to be an interesting summer in the 'growing things' at Mimi & Papa's house.

Sorry, to busy having fun (and getting sunburned) to remember take pictures.

Last Week

I promised a post update last week but two things happened--#1--the computer ate my almost finished post at 11:30 at night (better than a dog excuse)--at that hour

I just couldn't get my brain convinced to a redo.

#2--a lot of life got in the way.

To sum it up:

Tuesday Dwight had the first surgery to remove the large kidney stones from the right kidney. As it turns out there is still one in there, and so is the

drain tube, a week plus later.

Which is a real hassle as it is in the back and his always laying down. They won't (or can't) use the lift to get him into his wheelchair because of it. Haven't heard any plans as to what is next--

it was a holiday weekend.

Wednesday and Thursday just kinda happened--not much exciting.

It was our anniversary, but he wasn't up to going out for

dinner and dancing

so we just sat in his room and looked at each other.

Correction, I looked, he slept.

At home, Kristen painted Dwight's study.

Friday they moved everyone from his wing on the 8th floor to another wing

so construction could begin--(but did it? it was a holiday weekend)

Just before supper two men showed up at his door to take him to

Mill Run Gardens and Care Center.

No warning, and no call to me. Gr-r-r We really like Mill Run,

but why Friday evening on a holiday weekend?

Thus far they have just done the basics.

And worried about the tube. Kristen's kids and I crashed the

Henn House for supper,

altho' the kids think it was so they could play together.

Saturday I came home and found a neighbor had

mowed my front and one side lawn.

Looks good, thanks. All my flowers are looking great.

Monday, while I was at work, Kristen and her two moved in, for awhile.

Lots of stuff to be taken care of--Kristen to unpack and me to decide what to do with Dwight's stuff from when he Pastored.

He never touched while we lived

here, but didn't want to part with it....

If you were to ask why all this is happening to Dwight and our life,

I couldn't even come close to an answer.

I know God works all things for good for those who love Him,

but I haven't rounded the corner that shows me the good yet.

Just keep putting one foot in front of the other,

asking God for strength and to hold me up when I want to crash.

I have a very good family. My mom constantly reminds me she loves me

andwishes she could help, my sisters call and say the same.

My children do all they can to help, and then some.

Even my son in law Tim--he does so much to help out.

Our neighbor, Bob, is very helpful and concerned.

Even gave me a lecture yesterday,

and offered me a beer to help me relax...

And all my family and friends who are praying and caring,

even people I have never met. It is good.

Thanks for everything, everyone.